That Girl’s Blog: The Meatloaf Rule for Thanksgiving

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What does meatloaf have to do with Thanksgiving? Well, unless you are inviting the singer to your family dinner, not much. The Meatloaf Rule, however, should be welcome at ALL thanksgiving dinners. Actually, the Meatloaf Rule should be allowed at all major meals in order to save the sanity of all family and guests.

What is the “Meatloaf Rule?”

Have you ever sat down to meal where you know your sweetheart, your sister, mother, uncle, or father put in extra effort to prepare a sentimental or special dish? For argument’s sake, this special meal is your husband’s meatloaf that he learned to make from his mother with a few added twists … and you just didn’t like it. What did you do? Nine times out of 10 you ate as much as you could with a big smile on your face, and slathered on the compliments and the ketchup, because you didn’t want to hurt their feelings.

Guess what? There is a good chance you will be served that same dish again and again. This will eventually lead to an awkward situation down the road when you suddenly blurt out that you “never liked meatloaf,” and this will not only lead to hurt feelings it will also heep on apile of deep resentment.

Many years ago, someone introduced me to the “Meatloaf Rule,” which is this: The first time you realize you don’t like something, you POLITELY call on the “Meatloaf Rule.” This simply means you don’t like something and you don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, but you also really don’t want to eat whatever was put in front of you.

In my case, I never developed a taste for meatloaf, so it’s a literal rule in my kitchen. My sweetheart, for example, doesn’t have the same love for balsamic that I have, so he can call the “Meatloaf Rule” when he sees me sautéing veggies and it reminds me to adjust my recipe.

I would suggest introducing the idea of the “Meatloaf Rule” BEFORE the next big meal or gathering. That way, as you watch the plates pass around the table, you can have your turkey and your stuffing, but pass on the green bean casserole. You won’t completely upset your loved ones, and you will still be able to eat your meal without the uncomfortable feeling of insulting anyone. Besides, you still get to have the turkey and stuffing. After all, ‘Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad!’

Meatloaf

As a side note, the Meatloaf Rule is applicable to situations beyond food, as I discovered last night as Tom and I were deciding what to watch on Netflix.

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Cat Wilson is "That Girl" on Cape Country 104 – a Cape Cod native and longtime Cape radio personality. She is a passionate supporter of Military and Veteran causes on the Cape and also hosts local music spotlight program, “The Cheap Seats” on Ocean 104.7.